PARLIAMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 December 1940, Page 7

PARLIAMENT

” SILK STOCKINGS SUPPLIES. ■ ' [PER press association.] WELLINGTON, December 4. An appeal to the wearers of silk stockings not to buy so many pairs, and thus help to conserve overseas funds wherewith to buy munitions, was made by the Minister of Customs, Mr. Nash, in reply to an urgent question tabled by the Speaker, Mr. W. E. Barnard, when the House met to-day at 2.30. Mr. Barnard asked if the Minister would take immediate steps to meet an impending acute shortage in the Dominion of women’s silk and artificial. silk hose? The Minister said those who were asking foi’ more silk stockings would do something more advantageous if they wore fine woollen stockings. At this moment, munitions were much more in a reasonable demand for the sterling funds than were silk stockings. Mr. Nash said he understood that arrangements were being made for the manufacture of hosiery to be extended in 1941, and, when these plans materialise, .it was expected that the supplies -available from local industry should be adequate to meet requirements. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WELLINGTON, December 4. The Small Farms Amendment Bill was passed to-day by the Legislative Council after a debate which lasted until 10 p.m. The majority of the speakers expressed their appreciation of the Government’s action in introducing this Bill. Where there was any criticism it was confined to specific points. A suggestion was made by two speakers that the men serving in the mercantile marine should be included in the definition of “returned soldier.” Hon. W. Perry claimed that the right of appeal should be allowed, as its removal was a serious inroad on constitutional methods. He promised the co-operation of the soldiers of the last war in the settlement of younger men. Other measures read the first time were the Mokau Harbour Bill and the Sea Carriage of Goods Bill.